The following link makes interesting reading.. Basically, US Special Forces types were complaining that their M16s and M4s were exploding, so the US Army decided to do a bit of testing. Namely, keep firing on full auto, and see how long it lasts.

Turns out you can reliably break an M16 in about three minutes on automatic; a couple of the attached ammo incident reports at the end suggest it can be done in rather less......

Three minutes is a fairly long time on continuous full auto, especially for a light barrelled rifle. The heat generated in that time alone could possibly cause ammunition to cook off.

But is this news really new? Isn't this part of the reason they came out with the three round burst mode for the M16?
I think it's also part of the reason the CF version has a heavier barrel than a standard M16.

It may well have been part of the reason RC, also the low hit probability on full auto - the two main downsides of spray & pray.
But both 'problems' are easily sorted by correct trg of disciplined troops.

It may well have been part of the reason RC, also the low hit probability on full auto - the two main downsides of spray & pray.
But both 'problems' are easily sorted by correct trg of disciplined troops.

Oh bugger ! I forgot we're talking about septics......

Click to expand...

Starfish and yanks in the same sentence, such a good start to any morning debate.